Objective: To explore HIF1α and HIF2α regulate the dedifferentiation of lung cancer cells under hypoxic conditions through Sox2 and Oct4.
Materials and methods: HIF1α, HIF2α, Sox2 and Oct4 expression was analysed in lung cancer tissues. We analysed sphere formation by single-cell of differentiated lung cancer under hypoxia, and detected the expression of CD133, CD44, Sox2, Oct4, HIF1α and HIF2α. We knocked out HIF1α, HIF2α, Sox2 or Oct4 in cells, cultured the cells under hypoxic conditions and detected CD133 and CD44 using western blotting. We also detected the apoptosis rate of cells with HIF1α, HIF2α, Sox2 or Oct4 knockout.
Results: There was more sphere formation of differentiated lung cancer cells under hypoxic conditions than of control cells under normoxic conditions. These newly formed spheres highly expressed CD133 and CD44. TCGA database showed high expression of HIF1α and HIF2α in lung cancer tissues. After knocking out HIF1α and HIF2α, the expression of Sox2, Oct4, CD133 and CD44 decreased significantly, and after knocking out Sox2 or Oct4, the expression of CD133 and CD44 decreased.
Conclusion: HIF1α and HIF2α regulate non-small-cell lung cancer dedifferentiation through Sox2 and Oct4 under hypoxic conditions.
Keywords: Dedifferentiation; HIF1α and HIF2α; Hypoxia; Lung cancer stem cells; Sox2 and Oct4.
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